Kent will also discuss the evolution and implementation of IFC's Make Media Matter project, an interactive forum for fostering a deeper understanding of the vital role media plays in our lives, society and world.  The project brings together journalists, media executives and university expertise to create a place to challenge, prepare, inspire and empower audiences to consume and create media in more meaningful ways.

About the Presenter

Kent Rees is responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of IFC's marketing and brand development, for both on-air and print marketing.  He supervises the strategy, planning, and execution of all on-air, online, print and on demand marketing content for IFC, as well as managing the evolution of the brand on all platforms through creative marketing and advertising strategies and initiatives.

Rees previously served as vice president of marketing at IFC. During this time, he was instrumental in developing the sponsorship and branded entertainment model that IFC uses today. He successfully launched the marketing campaign for the Indie Sex Docu-Series and many IFC Originals, such as Z Rock, The Business, and The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, for online, on demand, print, and on-air. Rees played a key role in redesigning and re-launching IFC.COM <http://IFC.COM>  in February 2008.

Prior to joining IFC, Rees worked for Creative Service at Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, the parent company of IFC, where he led the reorganizing and revamping of the on-air look and feel of IFC. As a creative, Rees was an integral part of the promotion team that launched the reality hits, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette on ABC. Additionally, Rees also worked in on-air creative, for NBC, TBS, and ABC Family, among others. His career began working for on-air promotions at VH1, where he won several BDA Promax Awards, and was highlighted in AdWeek’s "Spot of the Week." While at IFC, Rees has been named one of Multichannel News’ "40 under 40" and has been appointed to the board of PROMAX.

About IFC

Operating under the mantra "always, uncut," IFC (The Independent Film Channel) recommends and creates genre-bending content that indulges the alternative culture obsessions of its audience and makes that content available across multiple platforms: on-air, online and On Demand. In pursuit of what’s new, next and relevant, IFC creates original non-traditional comedies like The Whitest Kids U’ Know and Z RockThe IFC Media Project. IFC’s original programming airs alongside a comprehensive independent film library of award-winning titles and cult classics, as well as content inspired by music, web, gaming, animation, news, culture and more.